You Really Got A Hold On Me

Do You Want To Know A Secret

Oh God. What was I going to do? Abby was here! I couldn't tell Dad that I'd spent the night at Abby's now could I? Oh, why had she shown up? I couldn't very well say that I had slept at Paul's either. But where else would I have been? And Dad would't believe if I said that I had been at John's or George's without Abby because that wouldn't have been likely. Maybe I could just spin a white lie and say I had fallen asleep on Paul's couch or something? Well, it was worth a shot, so I put on a casual face and entered the living room.

"Michelle!" Dad exclaimed, standing up, "where on earth have you been, I've been worried?!"

Abby was sitting on the other side of the room and she too got up at my entrance.

"I thought you might have been at Abby's but she came round this morning to call on you."

"Oh I was just over at Paul's" I said, as casually as I could. "I just fell asleep on the couch that's all" I said as Dad's face had grown a frown. "I must have been really tired, I'm sorry I should have phoned" I said. 

Dad's face seemed to relax a little at my apology. "It's fine sweetie, I'm just glad you're okay, I should have thought of phoning Jim, how silly of me."

I smiled a little at his apparent relief. Abby had been quiet this whole time which was unusual for her. 

Dad came over to hug me out of relief I suspected and as guilty as I felt I hugged him back all the same.

He sighed and said "just remember the phone next time!" And I smiled and promised that I would, then he left for the kitchen to make some breakfast I assumed. 

When it appeared that Dad was safely out of earshot Abby finally spoke up just as I sat down on the couch.

"You may have your Dad believing you hook line and sinker but I don't believe a word of it" she said, crossing her arms, "I can tell when you're lying I've known you since we were five remember?" 

She came to sit down beside me and I tried to resist smiling but my reflexes got the better of me.

"Wait, you were at Paul's weren't you?" She asked, studying my face. "But it wasn't the couch you ended up spending the night with..." I admired her skills of deduction. "Wait, you and Paul, you?" She asked, a twinge of excitement in her voice. I nodded. "Last night?" I nodded again. "At his place?" I couldn't help but break into a smile. "So you're not a?" I shook my head. At that Abby gasped, her eyes twinkled like they always did when she was happy or excited. "Oh my god" she said and I shushed her in case Dad heard her.

"Not here" I said in hushed tones. Then I told her to come up to my room instead so she followed me. 

She closed the door behind her and I let her bombard me with questions while I tried to answer them as best I could without giving too much away. It felt weird to think that I had lost it before Abby. I was so sure she would be the first. To be honest, I'm surprise she hadn't lost it to John. Knowing John he probably would have tried to persuade her enough times and I wonder how Abby resisted and why. 

* * *

The next day, Abby and I were walking through the school gates at the end of the day, contemplating all the things we hated about Mondays.

Me: "Monday's should be optional."

Abby: "If each day is a gift, I'd like to know where I can return Mondays."

Me: "Shortest horror story: Monday."

But then when Abby failed to reply with a quick witted and intelligent yet humorous response I turned to look at her and realised why.